South Africa’s largest mobile operator, Cell C, revealed on Wednesday that it had been the victim of a ransomware attack by a group known as RansomHouse.
This attack compromised the data of many customers and raised serious concerns about cybersecurity in the telecommunications industry.
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Overview of the Cyber attack
Cell C said that “data related to a limited number of individuals may have been accessed by an unauthorised party” based on preliminary findings from an ongoing investigation, but otherwise gave little information regarding the event.
The report did not specify the number of customers affected, the categories of data involved, nor the timing of the incident.
Cell C emphasised its commitment to cybersecurity, stating, “Our top priority is to protect the integrity of our systems and the confidentiality of customer data.” They acknowledged the increasing prevalence of cybercrime and urged customers to “stay vigilant and take steps to protect their personal information” as they continue to investigate the incident and cooperate with authorities.
It included a link to a guide on its website designed to assist customers in staying “cybersmart.”
Cell C was most likely the target of an attack by RansomHouse, according to the cybersecurity and telecommunications research firm TFI, which looked into the incident using publicly accessible material, including data from the dark web. About 2TB of data was discovered to have been “stolen” by the attackers.
As reported by SentinelOne, a specialist in information security, RansomHouse emerged in March 2022 and is classified as a “multi-faceted extortion threat.”
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About Cell C
Cell C Limited, a customer-focused digital service provider that encourages digital inclusion, was founded in 2001 and is authentically South African.
By supporting customers’ requirements, passions, interests, and motivations to reach their full potential, the organisation enables them to accomplish and enjoy their goals by providing superior value, unique propositions, connection, and access.
Cell C works to close the digital gap in South Africa and give everyone access to the internet.
As a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor, Cell C is dedicated to a transformation strategy that fosters empowerment, diversity, and inclusion for a beneficial social and economic impact.